Skagit County commissioners approve consent agenda, collective bargaining deals; $250,000 port award included

The Skagit County Board of Commissioners approved its consent agenda and two miscellaneous items July 21, including economic development aid to the Port of Skagit, ferry maintenance contracts and newly negotiated collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters units.

Commissioner (name not specified) called the session to order and, after brief remarks and a roll call of items, Commissioner Browning moved to approve the consent agenda items 1 through 43 “including all items requiring ratification, vouchers, and warrants for Monday, 07/21/2025.” The unnamed commissioner seconded the motion; the board voted in favor and the motion passed. Commissioner Janicki was noted as traveling and absent.

Items highlighted during the consent discussion included funding from the Washington Administrative Office of Courts for a therapeutic court program intended to identify and engage people with substance use disorder and behavioral health needs; a contract with a new health care management administrator for the county employee health plan; recognition of the new OASIS youth shelter building operated by the Skagit Valley YMCA; and use of videography from Hand Crank Films for the county’s North Star behavioral health project.

The commissioners also approved a $250,000 economic development award to the Port of Skagit for the Gilo Gilo Pickles expansion; a lease expansion to provide additional office space for the Skagit County Health Department at 301 Valley Mall Way (transcript referenced either about 1,300 or about 1,700 square feet); a one‑year service agreement with NZ Power Systems Incorporated for new engines on the Guemes Ferry; and hiring a firm to help obtain permits in the city of Anacortes to replace a security fence around part of the Guemes Ferry dock.

Separately, the board approved two miscellaneous items that finalize collective bargaining agreements negotiated with Teamsters units covering the district court/courthouse parks unit and a juvenile corrections unit. Jason Lewis, the county human resources representative, presented the agreements and said the county has roughly 700 employees and approximately 14–18 distinct bargaining units. A commissioner moved and seconded approval of the two miscellaneous items; the board voted aye and the motion passed.

No roll‑call vote listing individual yes/no votes was recorded in the transcript beyond the verbal “aye” and passing motions. The transcript did not include dollar amounts for some items beyond the $250,000 Port award or a full text of the collective bargaining agreements; the county representative said the agreements run through late December (the transcript referenced December 26 and “2026” in discussion). The commissioners adjourned and scheduled the next session for 10:00 a.m. the following day.

Votes at a glance

- Motion: Approve consent agenda items 1–43, including ratifications, vouchers and warrants for Monday, 07/21/2025. Mover: Commissioner Browning. Second: Commissioner (name not specified). Outcome: Approved (ayes). Absent: Commissioner Janicki.

- Motion: Approve miscellaneous agenda items 1 and 2 (collective bargaining agreements with Teamsters units as presented). Mover: Commissioner Browning. Second: Commissioner (name not specified). Outcome: Approved (ayes).